SALSIFY. 



243 



SALSIFY. 



The demand for this, the vegetable oyster, is con- 

 tinually increasing. While it will not be in great 

 demand for home consumption, it is still a good plant 

 to raise, as it sells readily and can stand shipping. 

 The seed is difficult to save on account of birds de- 

 stroying it. 



This seed should be sown in the fall or during the 

 winter. Tie cultivation and preparation of the soil 

 is similar to that for the usual root crops. A sandy 

 loam is preferred. The rows are sown about two feet 

 apart and the plants thinned to four or six inches in 

 the row. 



For market the large tap root is dug 

 up and that with the leaves is washed 

 and trimmed (see Fig. 38.) Six or 

 eight usually make a bunch. In the 

 North it is planted in the spring (May) 

 and dug in October. The care after 

 digging is about like that given to 

 celery. It is used mostly during the 

 winter and early spring. A good 

 market for this vegetable can be 

 opened by growing it so it can be 

 offered for sale during May and June, 

 after the fresh oyster can no longer be 

 obtained. 

 FIG. 38. 



FERTILIZER FORMULA. 



Nitrogen 3percent. 



Potash 8 percent. 



Available phosphoric acid 9 per cent. 



Use 800 to 1,200 pounds to the acre ; work in thor- 

 oughly and deeply. 



